Artificial Intelligence (AI) Resource Guide

Algorithm: A set of well-defined instructions or rules that makes a machine perform a specific task. 

Bias: A systematic error from assumptions made by the model. Bias, which comes from the people who made the machines and the societal system they are in, can negatively affect results and quality.

Corpus: A large dataset of material that can be used to train a machine to perform linguistic tasks.

Dataset: A collection of related data points, usually with a uniform order and tags.

Deep Learning: A machine learning technique that teaches computers to do what comes naturally to humans: learn by example. 

Image recognition: Identifying a person, object, place, or text in an image. 

Large Language Models: Apply deep neural networks to text data and generate output from prompts.

Natural Language Processing  A subset of AI that focuses on computers gaining the ability to understand text and spoken words in the same way humans can.

Prompt: A sentence or phrase that gives AI a model to generate a response/output

This buzzword can be confusing when trying to figure out what tools are using Generative AI and tools that are just AI-based. To make it easier to understand, we will be using the following definition when talking about AI (although there may be other running definitions out there): 

AI or Artificial Intelligence is a human-created computer system that processes data through algorithms. It can execute tasks such as visual perception, speech recognition, and decision-making that would normally require human intelligence.

*From TechTarget

Programming for AI focuses on specific skills for the best use. Using current examples, we can see the skills and their applications:

• Learning: 
  • AI constantly analyzes data and updates its algorithms, improving its abilities over time.
    • EX: Google Ads providing purchase suggestions based on previous searches.  
• Self-Correction: 
  • This aspect of AI programming is designed to continually fine-tune algorithms and ensure they provide the most accurate results possible.
    • EX: Telling your Spell-Checker to "add to dictionary"  for Pfannestiel. The program will continue to self-correct when seeing that person's name in your documents.
• Creativity:
  • Using rules-based systems, statistical methods, and other AI techniques to create new images, new text, new music, and new ideas.
    • EX: This is where we start to see Generative AI Tools more, like asking DALL·E to create an image from the words "sunset" and "beach" to get a photo that was never taken.

• What is artificial intelligence?
• Artificial Intelligence Foundations

Here are some AI Tools you might not have known you were using:

• Personalized Recommendations: Streaming services (Netflix), shopping websites (Amazon), and social media (TikTok) use AI algorithms to provide personalized recommendations based on the user's preferences, history, and behavior.
• Virtual Assistants:  Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa utilize AI algorithms to understand and respond to their user's voice commands.
• Email Filters and Spam Detection: Email filters help identify and organize emails while distinguishing between important messages and spam. 
• Image and Voice Recognition:  Google Photos, Apple's Face ID, and speech-to-text applications identify objects, faces, or speech patterns in images and audio recordings.
• Search Engines: Google, being the biggest one, uses AI algorithms to enhance search results while providing more relevant and personalized information as they gain more information about users' preferences.

Understanding Generative AI:

Generative AI is a subcategory of AI. It uses algorithms to create new content like generating images, text, and music. It can be used for many needs, from creative content to organizational tasks. Generative AI generates new data or content that is similar and based on data that it was trained on.* Similar to AI, these tools may not be free or may require you to have an account(with your personal data) when using it. 

*Ex: ChatGPT only had data from 2021 and earlier, meaning it wouldn't make inferences regarding 2023 data.

Types of Generative AI & Examples:

• Text Content:
  • The most known Generative AI right now, ChatGPT, is a text-based AI System. It can produce essays, blogs, scripts, news articles, reflective statements, and even poetry. There are also practice items that these can create like college schedules, bulleted lists for chores, and other time management help. 
• Image Creation:
  • These tools have been in the background since the 1960s. Since the 2000s, their use (use in the age of social media) is where their recognition resonates with most people.
  • It learns through descriptions with captions or text. The more specific you are with the image, the closer it will be to something you picture in your head.
  • It can use different styles as well such as hand drawing, oil paintings, anime, pop art, etc. 
    • Some tools cannot use existing/non-free materials/non-public domain works. So if you were to ask for Winnie the Pooh with pants, the image generator may give you an error message because Winnie the Pooh won't be in the public domain until 2026. 
    • These tools can steal concepts and images from artists. These issues ruin artists' careers and turn people away from seeking non-mass-produced work.
      • Here is the big difference between an artist and an AI Generative tool: Formula.
      • These tools are trained to find concepts that already exist to create something new. Artists can incorporate something new, something different, and/or something unique to them. If you use the same prompt, the AI tools will create similar content every time.  
        • Click HERE to learn about Legal Issues with AI Tools 
  • Here are some AI-generated images from Canva with the prompt "Moose playing Hockey"

• Sound Creation
  • These music generators analyze music and metadata (artist name, album name, genre, year released) to find patterns in music genres.
  • Some have been trained to associate lyrics with songs.
  • Popular examples are AI Covers of Songs:  Whitney Houston ft. Frank Sinatra - Until I Found You (AI Cover)

    • If it has only been exposed to one type of music like Taylor Swift's, then the generated music will sound somewhat similar to her songs.

  • Examples of tools: AIVA and Soundful

• Video Creation

  • While not as "main-stream" as the other tools, these AI tools require more elements at one time(audio, visual, and text elements). Some programs are given video editing software as well to create captions, transitions, animations, etc. 
    • Example of Tools: Invideo

Here are some Generative AI Tools you might not have known you were using:

• ChatGPT 3.5 or ChatGPT4
  • Developed by OpenAI, is an artificial intelligence tool that generates text based on given prompts. 
• Gemini
  • It is an AI chatbot that can respond to a user's question with an almost human-like "understanding." It can create content, summarize text, and translate between languages.
• GrammarlyGO
  • If you already have a Grammarly account, you’ll get 500 prompts per month, and you can use this to write blog introductions, outlines, ads, and emails.
• Magic Design
  • From Canva, creates a curated selection of personalized and on-brand designs just for you.
• DALL-E 3
  • Created by OpenAI
  • Produces images and art in any style based on a user description.
• Synthesia  
  • A tool that allows you to turn text into video with AI-generated voices.
• GitHub Copilot  
  • An AI pair programmer that translates human language into programming code.
• SlidesAI  
  • SlidesAI is used for Google Slides and generates presentation slides from any text.
• Explainpaper  
  • Users can upload papers and highlight confusing text to get an explanation.

For more view Top 35 Generative AI Tools by Category